The Fagernes Chess International 2026 is taking place from March 29 to April 5, 2026, at the Scandic Valdres Chess Hotel in Fagernes, Norway. Organized by IA/IO Hans Olav Lahlum and Sotra Sjakklubb, the event offers a professional environment for both titled players and enthusiasts.
Tournament Structure and Format
The event consists of two main sections, both FIDE-rated and played as a 9-round Swiss:
GM Swiss: Open to titled players (GM, WGM, IM, WIM, FM, WFM, CM, WCM) and players with a FIDE rating of 2200+ (women 2000+). This section is designed for those seeking title norms.
Open Swiss: Open to all players regardless of rating.
Time Control: 40 moves in 100 minutes, followed by 40 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment starting from move one.
Schedule
Rounds: Daily rounds from March 29 to April 5.
Double Rounds: Two rounds will be played on Wednesday, April 1.
Final Round: April 5 at 09:00, followed by the prize-giving ceremony.
Prize Fund
The total cash prize fund is EUR 8,200.
GM Swiss Top Prizes: 1st: €2,400; 2nd: €1,600; 3rd: €800.
Open Swiss Top Prizes: 1st: €500; 2nd: €300; 3rd: €200.
Special Categories: Prizes are also awarded for the best women and veteran players (born 1976 or earlier) in both sections.
Side Events
The festival includes several evening activities:
- Fagernes Slow Blitz (5+3): Friday, April 3.
- Fagernes Blitz (3+2): Saturday, April 4.
- Teamtalkingchess: A social rapid team event with game swapping.
Logistics and Venue
The tournament is held at Scandic Valdres, Jernbanevegen 26, Fagernes. The organizers provide free water and coffee during the games. All GM Swiss games and at least 10 Open Swiss games will be broadcast live.
Website: fagerneschess2026.blogspot.com
Top participants:
- GM Diptayan GHOSH IND 2571
- GM Abdimalik ABDISALIMOV UZB 2569
- IM Nikolosz PETRIASHVILI GEO 2518
- GM Aksel Bu KVALØY NOR 2502
- GM Allan Stig RASMUSSEN DEN 2491
- IM Tor Fredrik KAASEN NOR 2490
- GM Kjetil A LIE NOR 2478
- IM Semen MITUSOV NOR 2475
- IM Khumoyun BEGMURATOV UZB 2473
- IM Jens Evang INGEBRETSEN NOR 2415
- IM Saad ELMI NOR 2409
- GM Normunds MIEZIS LAT 2399
- IM Tarun KANYAMARALA IRL 2399
- FM Nicolai ØSTENSEN NOR 2389
- IM Sidhant MOHAPATRA IND 2383
- IM Sahib SINGH IND 2376
- GM Stellan BRYNELL SWE 2363
